Sete Gibernau has publicly spoken out about the tumultuous and dangerous aftermath of his historic rivalry with Valentino Rossi in MotoGP, nearly twenty years on from their most intense confrontations. Gibernau’s remarks, delivered in a revealing interview, have reignited the conversation around safety and sportsmanship in premier motorcycle racing, particularly the lasting impact of the Valentino Rossi MotoGP rivalry.
Recalling Fierce On-Track Battles and Mounting Tensions
Reflecting on his years as a top competitor, Gibernau described how his clashes with Rossi, alongside battles involving Max Biaggi and Loris Capirossi between 2003 and 2005, defined the era. His performances during these years led him to finish as world championship runner-up twice, before an untimely exit due to injury-related setbacks.
“We raced against each other from 2003 to 2006, but especially up until 2005. I was sidelined due to injury in 2006.”
– Sete Gibernau, Ex-World Championship Runner-Up
The most notorious incident in their rivalry occurred at the 2005 Jerez Grand Prix, which left Gibernau visibly shaken after a controversial final corner encounter.
“Yes, he hit me in the last turn. I found myself off the track,”
Gibernau recounted, underscoring a moment that fractured his trust in MotoGP’s fairness.
“He received no penalty. That was when I began to lose trust in this sport,”
he added, pointing to what he saw as a failure in the championship’s integrity.
Ongoing Frustration and Disillusionment with Championship Conduct
Gibernau’s frustration did not stem from a single moment, but from a recurring pattern across several seasons.
“It’s always been like this. In 2003, Vale and I. In 2004, Vale and I. Again in 2005,”
he lamented, sharing the cumulative toll of these repeated experiences.
“I couldn’t understand why… this wasn’t a contact sport. Things happened internally in the championship, and I eventually cracked. I started losing faith in racing.”
Raising Concerns Over the Culture of Aggression
Gibernau was unsparing in his criticism of how Rossi’s actions set a dangerous standard for others to follow.
“From a guy like Valentino Rossi, a superstar, why should we accept this? I think it was a mistake. He didn’t need to do it.”
– Sete Gibernau, Ex-World Championship Runner-Up
He believes riders took cues from Rossi’s aggressive tactics, leading to a shift in the way competitors approach on-track conflict.
“Other riders saw this and thought that was how to race. Then Marc does it to another, and it spirals into a situation where we risk our lives racing. It’s already dangerous enough.”
– Sete Gibernau, Ex-World Championship Runner-Up
Pursuing Redemption with Ducati Amid Mounting Setbacks
After leaving his previous team, Gibernau aimed to turn the tide by joining Ducati at the end of 2005, setting his sights high for the coming season.
“I gathered the entire team and said, ‘I came here to win the first race and the championship,’”
he declared. The initial signs were promising as he secured pole at Jerez in 2006, but technical problems dashed his hopes.
“I had an accident and retired from the race. That day, I mentally retired from racing,”
he reflected, symbolizing the end of his competitive aspirations.
Discontent with the Nature of Modern MotoGP
Gibernau further described his growing alienation from the sport, feeling increasingly isolated by the lack of fair play and accountability.
“I expected the championship to be fairer. If someone makes a mistake, it should be acknowledged. To me, this is not a contact sport.”
– Sete Gibernau, Ex-World Championship Runner-Up
He rejected the idea that risky, contact-driven racing was synonymous with courage, emphasizing the broader dangers at stake.
“Courage is not about crashing into another rider. If that’s what you want, go box.”
– Sete Gibernau, Ex-World Championship Runner-Up
Personal Reverberations and the Choice to Leave
Gibernau’s disillusionment grew so profound that, as a hypothetical father, he would not support his child competing in the current championship.
“If I were a father watching television, I wouldn’t want my son to compete in a championship like this.”
– Sete Gibernau, Ex-World Championship Runner-Up
While Ducati developed a new machine for the next season, team principal Livio Suppo pleaded with Gibernau to reconsider retirement.
“Livio Suppo tried to convince me, saying, ‘You’re not retiring, are you? We built the bike you wanted,’”
he recalled, but Gibernau made it clear his decision was final.
“I would only continue for the money. I said no. He thought I was crazy. I said, ‘Yes, but it’s over.’”
– Sete Gibernau, Ex-World Championship Runner-Up
After watching Casey Stoner win the 2007 championship with Ducati, Gibernau reflected,
“Maybe I could have… but who knows?”
– Sete Gibernau, Ex-World Championship Runner-Up
Closure, Reflections, and Lasting Legacy
Despite the disappointments, Gibernau remains grateful for his career and for being remembered as a fierce competitor against some of MotoGP’s greatest, including Valentino Rossi.
“Do I regret it? No. I would have done things differently, but I’m incredibly grateful for everything the championship gave me. I’m happy, proud, and thankful to everyone who raced for and with me.”
– Sete Gibernau, Ex-World Championship Runner-Up
He concluded with a sense of satisfaction regarding his place in MotoGP lore.
“I’m happy to say that many people still remember me for those battles against one of the three best riders in MotoGP history. I never thought I could achieve that.”
– Sete Gibernau, Ex-World Championship Runner-Up
Sete Gibernau’s statement delivers a stark reminder of the disputed boundaries between competition and safety in MotoGP. His account underscores a debate that remains deeply relevant as the sport moves toward the next era. The dialogue sparked by his experience may prove critical as the MotoGP community—including names like Valentino Rossi, Casey Stoner, Livio Suppo, Max Biaggi, Loris Capirossi, and others—weighs the thrilling spectacle of rivalry against the ever-present risks on the track.
